Mental Health
- Category: Health Services
- Published on Friday, 05 August 2011 16:32
Mental illness will affect 1 in 5 Australians and depression will be one of the greatest health issues worldwide by 2020 according to the World Health Organisation.
Mental illnesses contribute to 20% of all consultations at Collins Street Medical Centre. All our GPs are experienced in recognising the early signs and symptoms of mental illness to ensure access to effective treatment and are aware that early treatment improves outcomes.
Mental illnesses significantly affects feelings, thoughts, behaviour and interactions. Mental illnesses include depression, which affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorder, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia and drug and alcohol addiction.
Treatment can include counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, the over the counter medication St John’s Wort, prescribed medications, referral to a Psychologist or Psychiatrist and less frequently hospital admission.